Biography of William H. LewisRensselaer County, NY Biographies

Lewis, William H., was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1841, and is the son of Zuriel Lewis, jr., born in Poultry,
Vt., who was one of eight children born to Zuriel, sr. When a young man he went to Wills Pond, Vt., where he engaged
at his trade of millwlight; in 1853 while in Virginia he was taken sick and died. His wife was Rebecca Austin of
Granville, N. Y. His children were Jonathan A., Henry H., William H., Frank G., who was killed in the late war,
Armina, Mary Ann, Adaline, Eliza and Rollin C. His wife survived him many years and died in Berlin in 1885. William
H. when twelve years of age went to live with an uncle, and when eighteen began an apprenticeship as a tinner,
which trade he followed for three years. When the late war broke out he enlisted and served three months and after
his return worked at his trade for a time, then spent about one year on a farm, thence to St. Thomas, Canada, where
he engaged in lumbering and farming with his brother in law. He then removed to Sioux City, Iowa, remained a short
time and returned to Erie, Pa., his native place. In 1867 he came to Berlin and purchased his present business
which he has conducted successfully. He later added to his tinware a hardware business. He has served as town clerk
and also in other offices. In 1866 he married Theodocia Adams, born in Michigan and daughter of I. B. Adams; their
children are Mrs. Ida R. Green of Berlin; R. Frank, who is in business with his father; William E. and Charles
H. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are both members of the M. E. church, of which he is trustee and steward.